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Short Report: Sigma Zoom Combo

 
     
 

Two Low-Priced Lenses From Sigma Are Ideal For Photographers On A Budget

By Zachary Singer

 
     
  IF you’re looking for a low-priced, compact set of lenses that offer a great range for small-format digital SLRs, check out Sigma’s new pair, the 18-50mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 DC and the 55-200mm ƒ/4-5.6 DC. These are ideal all-around focal lengths offering wide-angle and moderate telephoto ranges. Designed specifically for digital cameras (indicated by the DC), this combo typically offers an equivalent focal length range of 27-300mm on a small-format digital SLR for a 35mm camera. The image circle of these lenses won’t cover a standard 35mm film frame.  
     
   
     
 

Very small and lightweight, these lenses balance a compact, light-weight digital SLR well. The 18-50mm lens is 2.3x2.6 inches and weighs only 8.6 ounces; the 55-200mm is 2.7x3.3 inches and weighs just 10.9 ounces. I used them with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel and found they made a compact, easy-to-carry package so I had a lot of focal length always with me.

One thing you do give up with such small lenses is maximum ƒ-stop. They’re variable ƒ-stop lenses, meaning the maximum ƒ-stop changes with the zoom. At the maximum zoom settings, the maximum ƒ-stop is ƒ/5.6 for either lens. However, since most digital SLRs offer superb results at higher ISO settings, this isn’t necessarily a problem.

These are simple, basic lenses designed to offer a great deal of value for the price. You can buy both of them as a package for less than $250 (street price). Individually, the 18-50mm sells for a very affordable $110 (street price) while the 55-200mm sells for less than $150 (street price). Special coatings make these lenses more digital-friendly, and you’ll find an aspherical lens in the 18-50mm enhances performance.

The Sigma lens combo is ideal for new or student photographers on a tight budget who still need a good focal length range with decent lenses. In addition, the Sigma 18-50mm and 55-200mm lenses are perfect for the traveler who wants to move about lightly and simply.

SPECIFICATIONS
Resolution: 6.1 megapixels
Lens: Nikkor DX, G-AF, D-AF
Viewfinder: Optical
Media Type: CompactFlash
Shooting Modes: Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait), programmed auto, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, manual
Exposure Compensation: ±5 EV in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
Metering System: 3-D color matrix, center-weighted, spot
Focus Modes: Single Area AF,
Dynamic Area AF, Closest Subject Priority Dynamic Area AF
Maximum FPS: 3 fps in Continuous mode
ISO Equivalency: 200 to 1600
Power Source: Nikon Li-ion rechargeable EN-EL3, or three CR2 batteries
Size: 5.5x4.4x3.1-inches
Weight: 21 ounces (body only)
Estimated Street Price: $999
Contact: Sigma, (800) 896-6858, www.sigma-photo.com.

 
     
 
KEY FEATURES
• Exceptionally low price

• Compact, easy- to-carry lenses

• Two lenses make a great combo
 










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